Table placemat and protective covering

ABSTRACT

A protective placemat and covering includes an integrated removable bib with back portion and front portion. The integrated removable bib is attached to placemat and covering by means of a perforation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation in Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/813,928, which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/472,916 entitled “Table Placemat” filed on May 23, 2003 and which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a table placemat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Managing a small child is especially difficult when dining out in a restaurant. Typically, in a restaurant, parents have to eat their food while simultaneously trying to feed their child. This can result in an unsatisfying experience for everyone involved.

High chairs that are typically used for seating a child, whether in a restaurant or elsewhere, are often unsanitary because of their repetitive use by different children during the day and the lack of attention paid to clean them thoroughly. Another problem is the mess created by the leftover food crumbs, smears, and spills left behind when the family has finished dining. These crumbs, smears and spills, consisting of foods and beverages dropped by the child, may fall to the floor through the naturally existing gap between a table and a high chair, or may fall on the seat, arms and back of a high chair. Additionally, children may drag plates, bowls and the like from tables, allowing them to fall to the floor, resulting in spilled food and possible broken dishware.

Spilled food and beverages may also damage table tops and table linens. Similarly, cutlery and dishware struck on or dragged across table tops may also damage table tops or table linens. Children seated at tables may be especially prone to behaviors which lead to such damage.

To be practical for modern-day parents, any device which seeks to lessen or eliminate the foregoing issues must be portable and easy to use. Parents traveling with one or more children, particularly into crowded restaurants and similar spaces, often are not able to carry cumbersome or heavy accoutrements. Likewise, these parents are ill-equipped to set-up complicated or unwieldy mechanical devices.

Finally, in order to maintain a sanitary condition, a device devised to prevent or eliminate spills, dropped implements, table-top damage, and so on must be easily washable or disposable. Devices which are incapable of being easily and adequately washed will quickly become unsanitary, thus presenting a potentially unhealthy condition for the child and defeating an important goal of the device.

Several proposed solutions to the foregoing problems have been suggested in the past; however, no suggestion has provided a suitable solution.

One class of proposed solution may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,631,950, 6,428,098, 6,237,998 and other similar patents. Each of these patents discloses a seat liner; that is, a covering for high chairs or other infant seats wherein the covering is placed on or about the high chair or other infant seat. None of these coverings provide any protection for an eating surface on a table, nor do any provide protection for the floor around the base of the high chair or other infant seat. Additionally, several of these coverings are adapted to fit only a limited number of high chair designs, or in some instances, only a single high chair design. Additionally, these devices must be fitted to a high chair or infant chair prior to placing an infant in the seat, and an infant must be removed from its seat prior to removing the device.

Still other proposed solutions are designed to prevent food and other items from dropping to the floor. Two examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,848,834 and 4,659,143. Each of these devices is specifically adapted to operate with cantilever type infant chairs that attach directly to a table top. The two devices are secured to a table and catch falling items in a surface formed beneath the infant seat. These devices suffer from several significant limitations, including being of use with cantilever type seats only, cumbersome set-up, and poor portability. Furthermore, these devices do not protect table surfaces nor high chair surfaces such as high chair arms.

As parents have become increasingly conscious of germ protection for their children, there has been an increase in demand for products that would make the experience of dining out more pleasurable for the parents and more sanitary for the babies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, a placemat and protective covering is disclosed. The placemat and protective covering is intended to protect a baby from an unsanitary table and high chair, whether in a restaurant or elsewhere, and further to protect table surfaces, high chair surfaces and floors from food, drinks and other items which a child may drop. The placemat and protective covering includes a main placemat area (which acts as a main protective portion) which may be placed on the table to provide a clean eating surface. The placemat and protective covering may be coupled to the side arms of a high chair or other child seat to provide a cover for the side arms to protect the baby. If desired, the placemat and protective covering may be coupled to the front arm of the high chair or other child seat to provide a cover for the front arm to protect the baby. Thus, almost all surfaces of the high chair or other child seat and table with which the baby comes into contact during eating may be covered to provide a sanitary and safe surrounding for the baby. Likewise, the floor directly beneath and around the high chair or other child seat may be protected. In an exemplary embodiment, the placemat also prevents the baby from pulling items, such as gum, that may be stuck to the bottom of the table.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a placemat and protective covering comprises a main placemat area, at least one flap extending from the main placement area and operable to releasably couple the main placement area with a chair, and at least one coupling element operable to releasably couple the at least one flap with the chair.

In a preferred embodiment, a protective covering for use with a table top and child's chair having a front arm portion is disclosed. The protective covering has a main protective portion and a front protective portion which is attached to the main protective portion and adapted to operatively attach to the front arm portion of the child's chair. The front protective portion is adapted to extend from the table top to the child's chair.

The protective portion may include a bottom side for contacting the table top and a top side. The bottom side may have skid resistant portions for resisting skidding of the protective covering across the table top. The main protective portion may include a pocket formed therein. This pocket may be formed by cutting into the surface of the protective covering or by attaching an additional piece of material to the top surface of the protective covering, among other methods.

In certain preferred embodiments, the front protective portion may include a coupling element for coupling the front protective portion to the front arm portion of the child's chair. The coupling elements may be selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions, hook-and-loop fabric (such as Velcro brand hook-and-loop fabric); mutually attracting magnetic portions; ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and traditional button closures (that is, traditional button/button hole pairs).

In certain preferred embodiments, the child's chair further has two side arm portions and the protective covering has two side protective portions attached to and extending from the front protective portion. The side arm portions may be substantially orthogonal to the front protective portion.

In these embodiments, each of the side protective portions may be adapted to operatively attach to (i.e., be maintained with) one of the side arm portions. Each of the side protective portions may include a coupling element for coupling the side protective portion to the side arm portions of the child's chair. The coupling elements may be selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions, adhesive portions, hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions; ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and traditional button closures.

The main protective portion may include a bottom side for contacting the table top and a top side, the bottom side having skid resistant portions for resisting skidding of the protective covering across the table top.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention includes a protective covering for use with a table top and child's chair having a front arm portion. The protective covering has a main protective portion, an intermediate portion (that is, a portion interposed between the main protective portion and a front protective portion) extending from the main protective portion and a front protective portion extending from the pocket portion and adapted to operatively attach to (i.e., be maintained with) the front arm portion of the child's chair. In these embodiments, the pocket discussed in the previous embodiments may be formed in the intermediate portion. Similarly, the front and side protective portions may be as previously described except that these portions would extend from the intermediate portion, not the main protective portion.

These and other aspects of the subject invention will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the drawings described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table placemat/protective covering;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table placemat/protective covering of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the table placemat/protective covering of FIG. 1 coupled to a chair; and

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a table placemat/protective covering.

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of a table placemat/protective covering and wearable bib.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of a table placemat/protective covering and wearable bib.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a table placemat/protective covering and wearable bib, with the wearable bib removed from the placemat/protective covering portion.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, including a seat-mounted dispenser operatively mounted on a seat back.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of an alternate embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a dispenser in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the Figures of the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. The terms “table placemat” and “protective covering” are used interchangeably herein.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a table placemat 10, FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of table placemat 10 and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of table placemat 18 coupled to a chair 12. Placemat 10 comprises a top surface 11 (FIG. 1) and a bottom surface 13 (FIG. 2). Placemat 10 comprises a main placement area 14 which may be placed on a table 25 and could serve as an eating area. In the illustrated embodiment, main placement area 14 is rectangular. However, it could be of any shape. Placemat 10 also comprises at least one side flap 16 extending from a side of main placement area 14. In the illustrated embodiment, placemat 10 comprises two side flaps 16.

If desired, placemat 10 may also comprise a front flap 18 (FIG. 1) extending between side flaps 16 from a side of main placement area 14. The front flap may be split in order to accept a vertical member or strap extending from the seat of the highchair to the front arm of the highchair. Preferably, side flaps 16 and front flap 18 extend from the same side of main placement area 14. Furthermore, preferably side flaps 16 are longer than front flap 18. As illustrated, side flaps 16 and front flap 18 form a U-shape with the opening of the U-shape facing away from main placement area 14. If desired, a pocket 20 may be provided in main placement area 14 on top surface 11 in proximity to side flaps 16. Preferably, pocket 20 extends along the width of main placement area 14. If desired, pocket 20 may extend only along a portion of the width of main placemat area 14. Pocket 20 may be used to catch food or other items falling from table 25 (FIG. 3).

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Placemat 10 comprises a top surface 11 and a bottom surface, not shown. Placemat 10 comprises a main placement area as shown and described in FIG. 1. Placemat 10 also comprises intermediate portion 22 and at least one side flap 16 extending from the intermediate portion 22. In the illustrated embodiment, placemat 10 comprises two side flaps 16. Pocket 21, with opening 20, are formed in the intermediate portion 22.

Top surface 11 of placemat 10 may serve as an eating area on which the food of the child may be placed. Top surface 11 of placemat 10 is preferably made of an easy to clean material, such as vinyl or food-grade poly vinyl, or other materials having a similar coating. Other materials may also be utilized, ideally being light in weight, soft to the touch, relatively thin, non-toxic, low “linting”, waterproof and sufficiently strong for the application. Also, it is possible for the placemat to be waterproof even if the top surface is permeable and a lower layer is waterproof such that the top layer is permeable and absorbent and another layer, such as the ultimate layer, acts as a waterproof plastic barrier. The material selected should have sufficient resistance to tearing forces, ideally greater than an un-perforated paper towel. By way of example, Tyvek brand material, manufactured by the DuPont company, as well as materials used in the fabrication of disposable table cloths and the like, may be utilized in whole or in part in the fabrication of the instant invention.

Bottom surface 13 of placemat 10 preferably comprises or is made of skid resistant material, such as a tacky rubber-like material, to prevent slipping or skidding of placemat 10 from table 25. Preferably, the bottom surface of only area 14 is comprised or made of skid resistant material, although if desired, the bottom surface of other portions of placemat 10 may be made of skid resistant material. Additionally, one or more suction cups may be provided on bottom surface 13 for coupling placemat 10 with the surface of table 25. If desired, an intermediate layer (not shown) may be provided between the top and bottom surfaces. The intermediate layer may be made of fabric or other material which includes an aesthetic print to make placemat 10 aesthetically pleasing. For example, the intermediate layer may display the child's favorite cartoon characters or may be used to display messages or advertisements.

Side flaps 16 may be used to releasably couple placemat 10 to or around side arms 24 of chair 12 (FIG. 3). Furthermore, side flaps 16 may be used to cover the side arms of chair 12 for both sanitary and safety reasons. Side flaps 16 may be coupled around side arms 24 of chair 12 by one or more coupling elements 26 (FIG. 2). Any suitable coupling element, such as hook and loop segments, metal brads, magnets, sticking pads, buttons, and other coupling elements now known or developed in the future, may be used. Although in the illustrated embodiment, four coupling elements 26 are shown, two on each side flap 16, the invention is not so limited and if desired fewer or greater number of coupling elements may be used. Coupling elements 26 are preferably attached to bottom surface 13 of placemat 10. In an exemplary embodiment, a first part of one or more hook and loop segments comprising of two parts each is attached to one corner of one of the side flaps 16 while a second part of the hook and loop segments is attached to another corner of the same side flap.

Front flap 18 may be used to releasably couple placemat 18 to or around a front arm of chair 12 (FIG. 3). Furthermore, front flap 18 may be used to cover the front arm of chair 12 for both sanitary and safety reasons. Front flap 18 may be coupled around the front aim of chair 12 by one or more coupling elements 28 (FIG. 2). Any suitable coupling element, such as hook and loop segments, metal brads, magnets, sticking pads, buttons, and other coupling elements now known or developed in the future, may be used. Although in the illustrated embodiment, two coupling elements 28 are shown, the invention is not so limited and if desired fewer or greater number of coupling elements may be used. Coupling elements 28 are preferably attached to bottom surface 13 of placemat 10. In an exemplary embodiment, a first part of one or more hook and loop segments comprising of two parts each is attached to one end of front flap 18 while a second part of the hook and loop segments is attached to another end of front flap 18.

In use, the child is placed on the seat of chair 12 (FIG. 3). Main placement area 14 of placemat 10 is placed on table 25 in front of the child. Side flaps 16 are coupled to side arms 24 of chair 12 such that side flaps 16 substantially cover the surface of side arms 24. If desired, front flap 18 may be coupled to the front of chair 12 such that front flap 18 substantially covers the surface of the front arm. In this position, side flaps 16 and front flap 18 prevent injury to the baby and also provide protection against germs that may be present on the side arms and the front arm of chair 12. Side flaps 16 and front flap 18 also prevent chair 12 from becoming dirty thereby making the job of wait staff at restaurants easier. Furthermore, because placemat 10 extends from table 25 to chair 12, food crumbs do not fall on the floor but instead fall in a trough 30 formed by placemat 10. Trough 30 may be made deeper by moving chair 12 closer to table 25. If placemat 10 comprises pocket 20, then pocket 20 hangs over the edge of table 25 with an opening 21 of pocket 20 extending along the edge of table 25 or in proximity to the edge. The food crumbs may be caught in the pocket thereby preventing the food crumbs from falling on the floor. Pocket 20 may also be used to store other things.

Placemat 10 provides a protective barrier between the child and his or her surroundings, specifically while the child is seated in a chair, such as those used in restaurants. The side and front flaps facilitate coupling of placemat 10 with chair 12 and also protect the child from the side arms and front arm of the chair with which the child would normally come in contact.

Placemat 10 may be folded in a manner such that the dirty or bottom surface 13 does not touch the clean or upper surface 11 that faces the child. If desired, other articles, such as an unused diaper may be placed on placemat 10 before it is folded to eliminate the need to carry a diaper bag.

In an alternative embodiment, placemat 18 may comprise a seat liner (not shown). The seat protector may be releasably coupled to placemat 10.

Yet another embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this embodiment, the protective placemat and covering 10 includes an integrated removable bib 50 with back portion 52 and front portion 53. Integrated removable bib 50 is attached to placemat and covering 10 by means of perforation 56. Bib 50 includes neck opening 54, securing elements 56 and 57, and perforation 55, whereby securing elements 56 and 57 may be placed around the neck of a user by opening perforation 55, thereby permitting the user's neck to be placed in opening 54. Opening 54 may then be closed by closing means 43, which may be comprised of adhesive strips, hook-and-loop fasteners, and the like, used to join the ends of securing elements 56 and 57. Adhesive strip 44 or other suitable means may be utilized to operatively attach the bottom end of bib 50 to center flap 18 of the placemat and covering 10, thereby further minimizing the chance of spills reaching the user, the seat or other undesirable locations.

In addition to the structure depicted in the figures, securing elements may comprise ties, straps or the like. These ties, straps or the like may be formed integrally with bib 50 and partially detached by means of perforations or the like. Likewise, neck opening 54 may be eliminated without departing from the instant invention.

Placemat and covering 10 includes bottom surface 13, which includes skid resistant portions 40, which may be adhesive strips or any other material which increases the coefficient of static friction between the covering 10 and the surface on which it rests, such as a table. Coupling elements 41, which may be adhesive portions, hook and loop fabric, hook and loop fasteners, mutually attracting magnetic portions, ball-and-socket snaps, ribbon ties, traditional button closures and the like, are disposed on side flaps 16 so that in use, the opposing sides of each of slide flaps 16 may be coupled together around an arm of a seat. Side flaps 16 are separated from center flap 18 by incisions 46 (which may alternatively be perforations, or may be omitted completely, thereby eliminating center flap 18). Center flap 18 may include perforation 45 which may be separated to permit center flap 18 to accommodate certain seat configurations, for example, a high chair having a vertical member or strap extending from the seat of the highchair to the front arm of the highchair. Center flap 18 may wrap around a structure of the seat to which it is attached such as a lap bar of a high chair and attached thereto via coupling element 42, which may be an adhesive strip or other similar material.

FIG. 7 illustrates the embodiment previously described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6; however, the removable bib 50 is shown detached from protective placemat and covering 10, and perforation 55 has been separated to permit user access to neck opening 54 between securing elements 56 and 57.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate a seat mounted dispenser for dispensing protective coverings including, among others, those of the instant invention as previously disclosed. Dispenser 100 includes housing or body 102 having face 112, a back (not shown) and one or more sides 111. Body 102 is coupled to one or more clips 101. Housing 102 may be coupled to clip 101 in a releasable or non-releasable manner; that is, by way of example they may be glued, stitched, riveted or welded together in a non-releasable fashion or attached by means of hook-and-loop fasteners, double sided tape, hook and eye assemblies, tab-and-slot assemblies and the like in a releasable fashion.

Housing 102 forms a central cavity (not shown) which contains one or more protective covers 106. These protective covers are dispensed through aperture 103. Aperture 103 may be sized so as to maintain a single protective cover 106 in position to be retrieved by a user, or may be larger. In instances where aperture 103 is larger than necessary to so maintain the protective cover 106, membrane 104 with membrane slit 105 may be situated within the aperture. Membrane 104 may be of a sufficiently elastic material such that, when held in tension in aperture 103 and protective cover 106 is passed through membrane slit 105, membrane 104 clamps protective cover 106 in place but yields sufficiently to release cover 106 when a user pulls cover 106 outward from aperture 103.

Clips 101 may comprise a single clip, multiple discreet clips, or a continuous clip. As illustrated in FIG. 9, clip 101 includes back portion 108, front portion 109, and cavity 110 formed therebetween. In operation, seat back 201 may be inserted into cavity 110 and clamped therein by back 108 and front 109, which may be biased towards one another such that cavity 110 is slightly narrower than seat back 201. The material of clip 101 may be sufficiently elastically deformable such that seat back 201 is securely held between back 108 and front 109 by means of the elastic return force of deformed clip 101 when seat back 201 is inserted therein.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternate seat mounted dispenser in the form of a mounted roll type dispenser 300. In this embodiment, protective coverings are formed from a continuous sheet of materials with appropriate means for dividing each individual covering. These means may include perforations and the like, or any other dividing means which readily permits a user to remove individual protective coverings from the roll. The continuous sheet is formed into cylinder 304, through the center of which is placed rod member 302. Cylinder 304 is free to rotate around rod member 302 to facilitate the removal of individual protective coverings.

Rod member 302 may be supported at its proximal and distal ends by hanger members 301, each of which terminates in a hooked end 303. Hooked ends 303 are shaped so as to be readily attachable to chair 200 as illustrated.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. 

1. A combination protective covering and detachable bib comprising: a main protective portion and a bib portion, said bib portion being releasably coupled to said main protective portion.
 2. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 1 wherein said bib portion includes means for securing said bib around a user's neck.
 3. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 2 further comprising perforations between said main protective portion and said bib portion.
 4. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 2 wherein said means for securing said bib around said user's neck comprises: a neck opening; and at least two securing elements; whereby said user's neck may be placed in said neck opening and said securing elements may be operatively joined to secure said bib around said user's neck.
 5. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 4 wherein said back portion of said bib portion includes an adhesive portion opposite said neck opening whereby said bib portion may be operatively coupled to said main protective portion.
 6. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 4 further comprising perforations between said main protective portion and said bib portion.
 7. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 4 wherein said securing elements include closing means for operatively connecting said two securing elements together.
 8. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 7 wherein said closing means are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions; hook and loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions; ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and traditional button closures.
 9. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 2 wherein said main protective portion comprises a bottom side for contacting said table top and a top side, said bottom side having skid resistant portions for resisting skidding of said protective covering across said table top.
 10. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 9 wherein said protective covering further comprises: a front protective portion attached to said main protective portion and adapted to operatively attach said front protective portion to front arm portion of a child's chair, said front protective portion being adapted to extend from said table top to said child's chair; and two side protective portions attached to and extending from said front protective portion, at least one of said side protective portions being adapted to operatively attach to one arm portion of said child's chair.
 11. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 10 wherein said front protective portion includes a coupling element for coupling said front protective portion to said front arm portion of said child's chair.
 12. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 11 wherein said coupling elements of said protective portion are selected from the group comprising: adhesive portions, hook-and-loop fabric; mutually attracting magnetic portions; ball-and-socket snaps; hook and loop fasteners; ribbon ties; and traditional button closures.
 13. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 10 wherein said side arm portions are substantially orthogonal to said front protective portion.
 14. The protective covering and detachable bib of claim 10 wherein each of said side protective portions includes a coupling element for coupling said side protective portion to said side arm portions of said child's chair.
 15. A combination protective covering and detachable bib comprising: a main protective portion; a bib portion releasably coupled to said main protective portion and including means for securing said bib around a user's neck; perforations between said main protective portion and said bib portion; said means for securing said bib around said user's neck comprising a neck opening and at least two securing elements, whereby said user's neck may be placed in said neck opening and said securing elements may be operatively joined to secure said bib around said user's neck.
 16. A seat mounted article dispenser comprising: a housing having a front, a back and at least one side, said housing defining a central cavity; an aperture in said face; a clip structure operatively attached to said back of said housing, said clip structure having a back portion adjacent to said back of said housing and a front portion opposite thereto, said front and back portions defining a cavity therebetween.
 17. The seat mounted article dispenser of claim 16 wherein said front portion of said clip structure is biased towards said back portion of said clip structure such that said front portion may be elastically deformed upon receipt of a seat back in said cavity.
 18. The seat mounted article dispenser of claim 16 wherein said aperture includes a membrane disposed therein, said membrane having a slit therein through which said articles may be retrieved from said cavity.
 19. The seat mounted article dispenser of claim 18 wherein said front portion of said clip structure is biased towards said back portion of said clip structure such that said front portion may be elastically deformed upon receipt of a seat back in said cavity.
 20. The seat mounted article dispenser of claim 16 wherein said article comprises a protective covering comprising: a front protective portion attached to a main protective portion and adapted to operatively attach said front protective portion to front arm portion of a child's chair, said front protective portion being adapted to extend from said table top to said child's chair; and two side protective portions attached to and extending from said front protective portion, at least one of said side protective portions being adapted to operatively attach to one arm portion of said child's chair. 